
Founded in
1993 by Rikers Island Catholic Prison Chaplains in response to the high
recidivism rate and lack of effective rehabilitative services they witnessed in
New York City jails; Abraham House began as an innovative Alternative to
Incarceration Program for those convicted of nonviolent crimes. Abraham House
is a grassroots organization that offers holistic programs and services for
those involved in the criminal justice system, and for youth and families
affected by incarceration and other social factors such as poverty, violence,
truancy, and a lack of quality education. Abraham House is a 501(c) 3
not-for-profit organization located in the Mott Haven section of the South
Bronx. The
organization’s mission is to break the cycle of incarceration by offering the
incarcerated and their relatives, as well as families and children living on
the margins of our society, a place of hope and community
where lives can be rebuilt, families mended, lessons learned and where men,
women, and children receive the necessary and practical tools to become
productive citizens. Abraham House
accomplishes its mission through three core programs: an After School Program
(ASP), an Alternative to Incarceration Program (ATI); and Family and Pastoral
Center (FPC). The
Alternative to Incarceration Program (ATI) is a core component in Abraham
House’s mission to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty and crime. The
ATI Program works primarily with criminal justice involved nonviolent adults as
well as with the re-entry population returning back to the community from
prison. The After
School Program (ASP) offers a safe haven, academic support, counseling, and
youth development curriculum to help children move ahead to the next academic
grade, graduate from high school, and stay free of juvenile delinquency and
criminal activity. The Family
and Pastoral Center (FPC) serves as a place of community and strength, where
families affected by incarceration, immigration issues, and other social
factors, can find hope, solace, friendship, and support. The program provides
case management, counseling, advocacy, food pantry, religious services and
referrals to essential services – to help families deal with crises and ongoing
challenges.
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